Fluid segregators



Oct. 25, 1960 G. B. RlHARDs 2,957,490

FLUID SEGREGATORS Filed Nov. 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MENmH..

Oct. 25, 1960 G. B. RICHARDS 2,957,490

FLUID SEGREGATORS Filed Nov. 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Geofgejmm'd@ FLUID SEGREGATORS George B. Richards, Deerfield, 111.,assigner, by mesne assignments, to Liquid `Controls Corporation, NorthlChicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 3, 1955, Ser. No.544,668

8 Claims. (Cl. 137-172) This invention relates to fluid segregators andhas to do more particularly with a segregator for `separating twoimmiscible liquids or a liquid and a gas, of diiierent `specificg-ravities wherein a flow-actuated valve is em- -products and areusually installed in a sump at the bottom of a storage tank. In liquidsegregators as heretofore constructed segregation is effected by causingthe liquid to ow into a container whereby the heavier of the two liquidssettles to the bottom of the container and accordingly may be withdrawn,while the lighter of the two liquids rises to the `upper portion of thecontainer and oats on the heavier liquid. The separation is effected byvcontrolling the outilow of the heavier liquid from the container bymeans of a Heat-controlled valve so that the heavier liquid flows out ofthe container until `such-time as the heavier liquid is substantiallyentirely 'withdrawn from the container, 'whereupon the valve is closedto prevent the lighter liquid from ilowing out of the container. Liquidsegregators `as heretofore constructed, have included a casing locatedat the bottom of the tank to receive liquid therefrom. The casing isformed with a discharge outlet or orice and a discharge valve forcontrolling the ow of liquid through the outlet, which valve is actuatedby a float so constructed as to float in the heavier of the two liquids,but to sink in the lighter ,of the two liquids. The arrangement is suchthat when .there is no heavier liquid present in the tank, or only asmall quantity, the oat sinks to its lowermost position and .thedischarge valve is closed. When the quantity of heavier liquid increasesand the level thereof rises the float is thereby buoyantly supported andis caused to rise until such time as it reaches `a predeterminedelevation when it causes the discharge vvalve to open and allow theheavier liquid to ll-oiw from the tank in which the segregator islocated.

vIt has been found that where the flow of liquid through the dischargeoutlet is `at a substantial rate and the velocity is relatively high theBernoulli effect causes a reduction in pressure over the Valve whichexerts a closing force on the valve and the v alve may be closed eventhough the level of the liquid is such as to dictate that the valveremain open. In other words the Bernoulli or suction effect is suhcientto overcome the buoyancy or lifting eiect of the heavier liquid on thefloat and to cause the valve to flow and pull down the iloat below itsproper position. l

An object of the present invention is to provide Ia new and improvedliquid segregator.A

' Another object is to provide a liquid segregator where- W UnitedStates Patent 2,957,490 Ptented oct. 25, 1960 in the operation of thedischarge valve is independent of the rate of flow of the liquid throughthe discharge outlet.

Another object is to provide a liquid segregator of the type having afloat-actuated valve and a discharge valve controlled by thefloat-actuated valve and of such construction that it is closed solelyunder the control of the oat-actuated valve and its operation isentirely independent of the rate of ilow of liquid through the dischargeoutlet.

A further object is to provide a liquid segregator which is simple andinexpensive to make, is effective in operation and requires a minimum ofattention, adjustment repair and replacement of parts.

Another object is to provide a liquid segregator of the type employing astrip or reed type valve wherein the closing of the valve is solelyunder the control of a oat and is independent of the rate of ow of theliquid through the discharge outlet.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the appended drawingswherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a liquid segregator constructedin raccordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View through the segregator of Fig. ltaken along line 2-*2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-'6 of Fig. 2.

A fluid segregator 100 constructed in accord-ance with the presentinvention is disposed at the lower portion of a liquid tank or container101 of any suitable form and preferably in a sump portion thereof. Thesegregator is disposed in an outlet opening 102 leading from the bottomof the tank 101. The segregator includes a iirst, cup-like housingmembcror base 103 having a flange 104 by which the segregator is secured tothe tank 101 as by screws 108 extending through the ange 104 and intothe bottom wall of the container or tank 101.

The segregator also includes a second housing member or casing dening afloat chamber 106 which casing 105 is supported on a ledge or shoulder107 formed on the flange 104 yand underlying the opening 102 in thebottom wall of the tank 101. The casing 105 is rigidly secured inposition by a rod 110 which extends through the casing 105 anddownwardly into the base 103 the rod being threaded into the bottom wallof the base and secured at its upper end by a nut 112. The base 103delines a valve chamber which is disposed below and forms a continuationof the float chamber `106.

The casing 105 is of lesser diameter than the opening 102 in the bottom:wall of the tank 101 and therefore there is provided an annular passage116 leading to the interior of the tank 101 into the chamber 115. Inorder to provide communication between the passage 116 and the chamber115 a plurality of bosses 117 are provided on the flange 104 whichsupport the lower edge of the casing 105 above the top surface of theshoulder 107 whereby a plurality of passages 118 are provided whichconnect the passage 116 withv the chamber 115 to thereby allow free owof liquid from the interior of the tank 101 into the chamber 115. f

The base 103 is provided with side openings 120 and 121 providingoutlets from the chamber 115. Secured to the base 103 over the opening120 is an end plate 122. The end plate 122 which is secured to the base103 as by screws 123 may be formed with a threaded opening 124 adaptedto receive a pipe 125 lfor a purpose hereinafter descnibed or it may bemade imperforate and without any threaded opening therein if thefunctions of the pipe 125 are not desired. Secured between the end plate122 and the base 103 is a plate 130 pro- .vided with a pair of openings131 (Fig. 6) therethrough to permit the passage of liquid therethroughfrom the chamber 115. The size of the openings 131 is not critical butthey are of sufficient size to allow relatively free Vpassage of liquidtherethrough from the chamber 115. Moreover the openings 131 are spacedapart sufficiently so as to provide a central vertically extendingstrip-like portion 132 of the end plate 130 of sufficient width toprovide a backing stnip capable of functioning as hereinafter explained.interposed between the plate 130 and the base 103 and the end plate 122respectively are ring gaskets 133 and 134 formed of suitable sealingmaterial.

The opening 121 is closed by a valve housing 140 hereinafter describedmore in detail. The valve housing is secured to the casing in a`suitable manner as by screws 141. Secured between the base 103 and thevalve housing 140 is an orifice plate 145 (Pig. 3) formed with a centralvertically elongated orifice 1'46 and a pair of openings 152 spacedlaterally on either side of the orice 146 providing a verticallyextending central backing strip -148 similar to the strip 132, exceptthat it is provided with the orifice 146. The strip 148 is of sufiicientwidth to provide sealing surfaces on either side of the orifices for thevalve element 225 hereinafter described.

Interposed and secured between the orifice plate 145 and the base 103 isa gasket 150 which overlies the inner face of the plate 145 except theopenings in the Ilatter. It will be understood that where I referhereinafter to the face of ythe orifice plate 145 this diesignates theface as covered by the gasket except as otherwise expressly indicated.The gasket 150 has an orifice 151 therein corresponding in shape andregistering with the orifice 146 and openings 1'47 corresponding inshape and registering with the openings 152 respectively of the orificeplate 145.

Secured against the outer face of the orifice plate 145 is the valvehousing 140 now to be described. The valve housing is formed preferablyby an inner end plate 160, a body member 161 and an outer end plate 162ali of which members are secured together and to the base 103 by thescrews 1'41. The inner end plate 160 is. provided with openings 165corresponding in shape to and registering with the openings 152 in theorifice plate 145 and together with such openings providing communica-Vtion between the chamber 115 and a valve chamber -166 provided betweenthe end plate 160 and the body 161.

The body 161 is formed with a partition 170 which is formed with a valveseat 171 through which extends an outlet or discharge orifice or port172 leading to an outlet chamber 173 defined by the body 161 and by adiaphragm 174 hereinafter described. Leading from the discharge chamber173 is a discharge outlet 175 in which preferably an outlet or dischargepipe 176 is threaded.

A poppet valve 180 is provided for closing the valve orifice 172 and tothis end is formed with a head portion 181 adapted to seat on the valveseat 171 in position closing the orifice 172 and with a stem portion 182carrying the head for sliding movement into and out of closed position.The valve stem is secured in the diaphragm 174 in a suitable manner asby a pair of metal plates 185 and 186 between which the diaphragm isclamped by means of a nut 187 threaded on the stem 181 and a shoulder188 formed on the stem.

The diaphragm 174 is formed from a suitable resilient, water-imperviousmaterial which is inert to the water or to any other liquid materialswhich might enter the segregator. While the diaphragm may be made ofrubber or synthetic rubber I prefer to form it from a suitable plasticand preferably the material sold under the trade name Tefiorr Thediaphragm 17l4 is clamped between the :body 161 and the end plate 162and divides the chamber 173 into two portions namely an inner portion173a communicating with the orifice 172 and the outlet 175 and an outerportion 173b, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. Thediaphragm 174 is formed with a bleeder orifice 190 providing limitedcommunication between the chamber portions 173a and 173b sufficient topermit the diaphragm to be restored to its normal position afterdisplacement but not sufficient to permit any substantial flow of liquidbetween the chamber portions 173:1 and 173b. In lieu of the orice 190 inthe diaphragm an equivalent orifice (not shown) may be provided in thewall of the body member 161 positioned to provide communication betweenthe bore 202 and the chamber portion 173a.

Instead of providing the diaphragm 174, I may employ a piston to performa similar function. Such piston (not shown) is slidable in the chamber173 and is connected to the valve stem 182 for actuating the valve 180in a manner equivalent to the operation of the diaphragm 174.

The valve 180 is normally urged to closed position by a spring 191seated at one end against the face of the partition 170 and at the outerend against the disc 186. Means are provided for opening the valve 180against the closing force of the spring 191 when it is desired to allowthe liquid to flow from the chamber 115. To this end communicationbetween the chamber and the chamber 173b is provided, whereby pressureof the liquid within the chamber 115 is applied to the face of thediaphragm 174 in a direction to urge the valve 180 off its seat andallow the liquid to fiow from the chamber 115 through the orifices 152and 165, the chamber 166, the

-valve orifice 172, the chamber 173a and the outlet 175.

Vably includes a portion defined by a groove 200 formed in the innerface of the plate 160y extending verticallyof the plate 160 from theorifice 146, a bore 201 in the end plate 160, a bore 202 extending inthe body 161 and a passage 203 in the cover plate 162 and opening intothe chamber portion 173b. Thus it will be seen that when the orifice 146is open the pressure of the liquid in the chamber 115 is transmittedthrough the passages just described to the chamber portion 173b andaccordingly is applied to the corresponding face of the diaphragm 174 tourge the valve toward open position.

Means are provided for controlling the opening and closing of theorifice 146 in accordance with the level of the heavier liquid in thesegregator. Such means includes a valve which preferably is generallysimilar to the valves described and claimed in the copendingapplications of Henry Robert Billeter and George B. Richards, Serial No.775,077, filed November 19, 1958, and Serial No. 775,045, filed November19, 1958, each being a division of their application Serial No. 512,551,filed June 1, 1955, now abandoned, and which application also disclosesand claims certain other features in common with the features of thesegregator herein disclosed.

The valve 225 takes the form yof an elongated flat strip of flexible,resilient material, preferably metal, which is inert to the liquid withwhich the segregator is adapted to be used. While any spring materialhaving suitable fiexibility, resiliency and inertness may be used, wehave found that a spring steel alloy sold under the trade name Elgiloyprovides excellent results.

The valve 225 is of sufficient width to extend across and completelyclose the orifice 146 when the valve is in closed .position and is ofsufficient length to permit it to be mounted and actuated as hereinafterdescribed.

The valve strip or element 225 is rigidly secured to the casing at apoint above the orifice 146 and in such position that the adjacentportion of the strip lies against the face of :the cover gasket at alltimes. To this end the upper end of the strip is secured, as by amachine screw 226 to a boss 227 projecting from the base 103 in positionto suitably support the upper end of the valve element in the desiredposition.

degrees as explained hereinafter. The face 231 extends parallel to theinner face of the gasket 150 overlying thev oriflce plate 145 for apurpose which will appear hereinafter; It. should be noted at this pointthat the orice plate .1,45 preferably is arranged in a vertical positionso that its' innerfface extends vertically and accordingly the innerface of the gasket 150 similarly extends vertically. .f The stop 230 isconnected to a guide stem 232 formingV a'portion of a float 235. Thestern 232 extends through and is suitably secured in the ball portion236 of the oat and projects therefrom at both ends. At its lowerend thestem 232 is inserted into the stop 230 and is-connected thereto byscrews 237 which extend through these 4members and through clips 239which serve to* retain the ends of the valve elements 225 and 250against twisting out of position relatively to the stop 230.

The stem 232 is hollow and it is telescoped over the p'ost 110 and thusserves to guide the float 235 for movement in a vertical directionwithin the iloat member 106.

The valve element 225 is so secured to and supported by:` the casing andthe oat that in all positions thereof throughout its range of movementfrom its upper, openposition (shown in broken lines in Pig. 2) to itslower, closed- ;position (shown in full lines in Fig. 2) it has a freeportion extending between the portion which bears against the face ofthe oritice plate and the portion which bears against the face 231 ofthe stop, which free portionkis bent back upon itself and assumes acurved shape. Moreparticularly the element 225 assumes a symmetrical,curved shape in which each portion on opposite sides of the 'verticalmedial plane through the elements 225 are similar. This shape isretained in all positions of the oat although the location of the bendin the strip v'arie'swith the position of the float. The bending iseffected by attaching the valve element 225 to the face andstop only atits ends, disposing the face 231 of the stop 230 and the face of theorice plate 145 in parallelism'j'and providing for movement of the oatin a direction parallel to these two faces.

Ar secondelement 250 is provided which is secured to the face and to thestop in a manner similar to that in which the valve element 225 issecured, except that the element' 250 isr disposed oppositely to thevalve element 225.'A The element 250 is positioned to bear against theinner face of the closure plate 130 in a manner equivalent to'that in4which the valve element 225 bears against the oriiiceplate 145.`However, as stated above the closure plate-1301is notrp'rovided with anyorifice corresponding rtfthe"o`rifice 146 and the valve element 250therefore d'oesfnfot Vfunction to close any oriice. The function of thetvalve element 250 is to provide for a balanced constructionlas will nowbe explained. Accordingly, the e1ement'250 isreferred to as a balancingelement. "fl'Thetwo' elements 225 and 250 are connected `to the base7103 and to the stop 230 at diametrically opposite points whereby theyare disposed in opposition. Accordingly, they exert on the stop 230, andconsequently on the loat 235, equal and opposite forces so that thefloat is jgiositione'tl centrally in the oat chamber and normally"doesnot bear against the guide stem 110. The guide 'stem' 110 howeveris provided so as to insure true vertical movement of the float 23S in adirection parallel to the faces of the orifice plate 145 and the face ofthe closure plate A130. 1

Since the assembly consisting of the valve elements 22`5 ""`a`nd 250,the stop 230 and the float 235 is freely p'o'sitioned, the forcesexerted by the respective valve `elements 2 25 and 250 against theirrespective plates 145 and `1.50 are equal 'and the elements thereforeare completely balanced.

l* 'Moreoven the arrangement is such that each of the elements 22S and250 is under stress throughout its entirel rangev yof vmoveni'ennwhichstress causes the elements'toA be urgedV against its corresponding platethroughout at least a portion of the element during its entire rangeofmovement. yAs will beseen from theA drawings, when the, oat is in-itsupper position, the elements 225 and 250 bear against the faces of theirrespective plates' throughout only the lower portions of the elementsAandV at an area on the orifice plate 145 above the orice 146` andthecorresponding rarea on the plate 130. However, as the float 235 falls toits lower position, as established by the abutment ofthe stop 230against the lower wall of the chamber 115 the elements 225 and 250 bearagainst greater areas of theirV respective plates and the rvalve 225closes the orifice 146, and also bears against the plateV 145 ataportion abofve and below the orifice in order to provide completeclosure for the orifice. Thus it willV be seen that the elements areurged into positions wherein the valve element 225 closes and seals theorice 146 by its own resilience.

In the operation of the liquid segregator in accord' ance with theinvention the tank 101 is connected to a liquid line which may containliquids of two diierent specific gravities (or a gas and a liquid). Asthe liquids pass into the container or casing 105 the heavier liquid'settles to the bottom of the casing and passes into the chamber throughthe passages 116 and 118. When this 'occurs any of the lighter liquidwhich may have entered the chamber 115 is forced upwardly through theiloat chamber 106 and passes out of the casing 105 through suitablyprovided openings 113 which preferably are formed in the upper wall orroof of the casing 105, and entersthe chamber defined by the tank 101.It will be understood that the float 235 is so constructed that it isbuoyant in the heavier of the two liquids but is not buoyant in theother and lighter liquid (or gas) and thus the oat rises'and falls inaccordance with the rising and falling of the level of the heavierliquid. In other words when there is a suicient quantity of the heavierliquid in the float chamber 106, the float 235 is buoyantly supported inan upper position whereby the Valve 2,25 and the cooperating element 250are retained in their upper positions and the` oriice 146 is opened.With the valve 225 in open position the liquid exerts' a pressure on theliquid in the passages 200 and the chamber-portion 173k to apply a forceon the diaphragm 174 in a direction to open the valve 180. The oriiice172 is thus opened and the heavier liquid may flow freely from thechamber 115. When the level of the heavier liquid falls Ato the lowerpredetermined level, the float 235 falls with the level of the heavierliquid and if the levelfcontinues to fall the oat reaches the positionin which it closes the valve 225. No further pressure will then beapplied on the diaphragm to hold the valve open and the spring 191 willmove the valve to closed position. The small orifice 190 in thediaphragm l174 permits this to take place.

It will be seen that the 'operation of the controlvalve 225 isindependent of the rate of How of liquid through the` valve seat 171 andis subject only to the height of the float 235 as dictated by the levelof the heavier liquid; Accordingly the valve 180 will remain openVregardless of the rate of ow yof liquid through theA scat l171 and therewill be no tendency for the valve to be closed bowing to the Bernoullieffect produced by the ilow of liquid to the valve seat 171.

The pipe is employed as a backwash connection through which flushingliquid may be passed to Hush out the segregator and the tank with whichit is associated. Where it is not necessary or desirable to provide sucha backwash connection the opening 124 may be closed by a plug (notshown). Where this is done, the plate may be made imperforate ifdesired, instead of being provided with the openings 131 as shown.

It will be understood that while I have described the inventionparticularly in connection with its application Y t 7 Y to theseparation or segregation of two immiscible liquids of' differentspeciic gravities, it also may be employed for separating a gas and aliquid. Y

I claim:

1. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of differentspecific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprisinga casing defining a chamber having an inlet opening into said chamberand a discharge opening leading from said chamber, a discharge Valve forclosing said discharge opening, and means for controlling the operationof said discharge valve in accordance with the level of the heavier ofthe two uids in said chamber, said last means comprising apressure-actuated member connected to said discharge valve, a passageleading from said chamber below the level of the heavier fluid to a rstface of said pressure actuated member for applying the pressure of theheavier iiuid to said face of said pressureactuated member in avalve-opening direction and having an inlet orifice in a wall of saidchamber, a constantly open bleeder passage providing restrictedcommunication between said passage and a second face of saidpressureactuated member, a float guided for movement in said chamber ina direction parallel to said wall and a valve element including aexible, resilient member secured at one portion to said float and atanother portion to said casing in a position whereby a portion of saidvalve element intermediate said secured portions is curved back uponitself and another portion lies against said wall in sealing relation tosaid inlet oriiice when said float is in one position and is displacedfrom said inlet orice -'when said float is in another position.

2. A segregator for separating two immiscible uids of different specificgravities at least the heavier of which is 'a liquid, comprising acasing defining a chamber having an inlet opening into said chamber anda discharge opening leading from said chamber, a discharge valve forclosing said discharge opening, and means for controlling the operationof said discharge valve in accordance with the level of the heavier ofthe two uids in said chamber, said last means comprising a pressureactuated member connected to said discharge valve, a passage leadingfrom said chamber below the level of the heavier fluid to a iirst faceof said pressure actuated member for applying the pressure of theheavier iiuid to said face of said pressure-actuated member in avalve-opening direction and having an inlet orifice in a wall of saidchamber, a constantly open bleeder passage providing restrictedcommunication between said passage and a second face of saidpressure-actuated member, a oat, means guiding said ioat for movement insaid chamber in a direction parallel to said wall, a valve elementincluding a exible, resilient member secured at one portion to saidfloat and at another portion to said casing in a position whereby aportion of said valve element intermediate said secured portions iscurved back upon itself and another portion lies against said wall insealing relation to said inlet orifice when said float is in oneposition and is displaced from said inlet orifice when said float is inanother position, and a balancing element similar to said valve elementand secured in a similar manner to said oat and to said easing in aposition diametrically opposite said valve element and positioned tobear against a wall of said chamber oppo- .site said first wall.

3. A segregator for separating two immiscible iuids of differentspeciiic gravities at least the heavier of which .is a liquid,comprising a casing defining a chamber having an inlet opening and anoutlet opening at a level below .said inlet opening, a oat adapted to besupported by the heavier of the said fluids and guided for verticalmovement in said chamber, a discharge valve for closing said outletopening, a spring urging said valvetinto closed position, and means insaid casing for controlling the operation of said discharge valve inresponse to movement of said iioat to an appropriate level, said means'including a pressure-responsive element connected to said-dischargevalve and cooperating therewith, means defining a passage leading fromsaid chamber below the level of the heavier uid to one face of saidpressure-responsive element for applying thereto the pressure of theheavier iluid in said chamber in a valve-opening direction, said passagehaving an inlet oriiice leading from said chamber and ahead of saidpressure-responsive element, means actuated by said float for opening orclosing said orifice in accordance with the level of the heavier iiuidin said chamber, and means for equalizing the pressures on both faces ofsaid pressureresponsive element when said orifice is closed including aconstantly open, restricted bleeder passage leading from said firstpassage to the interior of said casing on the other side of saidpressure-responsive element.

4. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of differentspecific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprisinga casing defining a chamber having an inlet opening and an outletopening at a level below sai'd inlet opening, a iloat adapted to besupported by the heavier of the said fluids and guided for verticalmovement in said chamber, a discharge valve for closing said outletopening, a spring urging said valve into closed position, and means forcontrolling the operation of said discharge valve in response tomovement of said float to an appropriate level, said means including allexible diaphragm connected to said discharge valve and cooperatingtherewith, means deiining a passage leading from said chamber below thelevel of the heavier iluid to one face of said diaphragm for applyingthe heavier fluid thereto, said passage having an inlet orifice leadingfrom said chamber, and means actuated `by said float for opening orclosing said oriice in accordance with the level of the heavier fluid insaid chamber, said diaphragm having a constantly open bleeder oriiiceoperative for relieving any dilierential of pressure on the two faces ofsaid diaphragm when said passage orifice is closed.

5. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of differentspecific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprisinga casing defining a control valve chamber having an inlet opening and adischarge opening, a discharge conduit leading from said dischargeopening, a discharge valve in said discharge conduit, resilient meansurging said discharge valve toward one position, means defining adischarge chamber in said discharge conduit, a pressure-responsiveelement operatively connected to said valve and dividing said dischargechamber into a pressure section and a discharge section, a dischargeoutlet leading from said discharge section, means defining a passageleading from said control valve chamber below the level of the heavierfluid to said pressure section for applying the pressure of the heavierfluid in said control valve chamber to a face of saidpressure-responsive element acting in opposition to said resilientmeans, said passage having an inlet orifice opening into said controlvalve chamber, a control valve for closing said inlet oritice, a iloatin said casing positioning said control valve in accordance with thelevel of the heavier iiuid in said valve chamber and means forequalizing the pressures on both faces of said pressure-responsiveelement when said inlet orifice is closed including a constantly openbleeder opening connecting said passage and said discharge section.

6. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of differentspecific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprisinga casing defining a iioat chamber having an inlet opening and an outletopening at a level below said inlet opening, a oat supported by theheavier of the said fluids and guided for vertical movement in saidchamber, a discharge valve controlling said outlet opening, spring meansurging said valve into one position, a control chamber within saidcasing, a diaphragm dividing said control chamber into a pressuresection and a dis- -charge section and operatively connected to saiddischarge valve, a passage within the walls of said casing, said pas-.Sgeriuterconnecting said iioat chamber and said pressure section forapplying the pressure of the heavier of said fluids to said diaphragm inopposition to said spring means, an orice in said passage communicatinginto said iioat chamber Ibelow the level of the heavier fluid, aconstantly open bleeder passage providing restricted communicationbetween said rst passage and said discharge section, and a control valveelement including a flexible, resilient strip secured at one end to saidiloat and the other end to` said casing whereby a first portion of saidelement lies against the oat surface and a second portion lies againstsaid wall portion in sealing relation to said orifice when said oat isin one position and in displaced relation to said orifice when said oatis in another position, said strip being bowed between said rst andsecond portions in all float positions.

7. A segregator for separating two immiscible uids of diterent specificgravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprising a casingdefining a oat chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening ata level below said inlet opening, a float supported by the heavier ofthe said -iiuids and guided for vertical movement in said chamber, adischarge valve controlling said outlet opening, spring means urgingsaid valve into one position, a control chamber within said casing, adiaphragm dividing said control chamber into a pressure section and adischarge section and operatively connected to said discharge valve, apassage within the walls of said casing, said passage interconnectingsaid float chamber and said pressure section for applying the pressureof the heavier of said fluids to said diaphragm in opposition to saidspring means, an orifice in said passage communicating into said casingchamber below the level of the heavier iluid, a constantly open bleederpassage providing restricted communication between said rst passage andsaid discharge section, a control valve element including a flexible,resilinet strip secured at one end to said float and at the other end tosaid casing whereby a rst portion of said element lies against the iioatsurface and a second portion lies against said wall portion in sealingrelation to said orifice when said iloat is in one position and indisplaced relation to said orifice when said float is in anotherposition, said Strip being bowed between said rst and second portions inall oat positions, and a balancing element similar to said control valveelement and secured in a similar manner to said float and to said casingin position whereby all the horizontal forces exerted on said tloat bysaid control valve and balancing elementare balanced.

8. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of different specicgravities, at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprising acasing dening a chamber having an inlet opening into said chamber and adischarge opening leading from said chamber below said inlet, adischarge valve for closing said discharge opening, and means forcontrolling the operation of said discharge valve including apressure-responsive member in said casing and connected to saiddischarge valve, a control passage leading from said chamber to a faceof said pressure-responsive member and having an inlet orice openingfrom said chamber, a control valve for closing said inlet orifice, saidpressure-responsive member being exposed on its other face to thepressure in said casing on the discharge side of said discharge Valve, aoat in said chamber for opening and closing said control valve inaccordance with the level of the heavier iluid in said chamber, saidtloat being of such buoyancy that it closes said control valve when at alevel of said heavier fluid above said discharge opening, and said inletorifice, and means for equalizing the pressure on both faces of saidpressure-responsive member when said control valve is closed including aconstantly open, restricted passage connecting said control passage andthe interior of said casing on said other face of saidpressure-responsive member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS969,282 Humberstone Sept. 6, 1910 1,529,334 Winkeleer Mar. l0, 19251,890,126 Moore Dec. 6, 1932 2,064,962 Waters Dec. 22, 1936 2,664,170Walker et al Dec. 2, 1953 2,679,863 Tucker June 1, 1954 2,758,717 KenneyAug. 14, 1956

